Canada Improving Lives of Most Vulnerable Mothers, Newborns and Children

70 Canadian Organizations Applaud Decision to Assemble Global Leaders

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 28, 2014) - The Canadian Network for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (Can-MNCH) applauds the Government of Canada's commitment and decision to host a global Summit focused on maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) to generate additional awareness and commitment - improving the lives of mothers, newborns, and children around the world.

Hosted by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, this Summit will be dedicated to ending preventable deaths among the world's mothers, newborns, and children. By focusing on key themes that include results, accountability, and innovation and partnership, this Summit will build on Canada's leadership role and accelerate progress for the world's most vulnerable.

"We are thankful for Canada's continued leadership and dedication to improving the lives of the world's most vulnerable mothers, babies and children," said Dr. Dorothy Shaw, Chair, Canadian Network for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. "Through Canada's leadership, hundreds of thousands more mothers, newborns, and children are surviving and thriving in some of the world's poorest communities. The most vulnerable mothers, newborns, and children are within our reach and if we act now mothers can live, children will flourish, and communities will prosper."

"Investments in MNCH are showing tremendous results, and it is known that with continued momentum we can end preventable deaths of mothers, newborns and children in this generation," said Patricia Erb, President and CEO, Save the Children Canada, a member of Can-MNCH. "However, to achieve this goal, there is still a significant amount of work to be done. We believe that by focusing on the first 1000 days of life, this goal can be attained. Substantial advancements have been made to allow for the survival of mothers and children. We must bring these advancements to the global south and come together to save the lives of mothers and their newborns."

When it comes to saving mothers and children, Canadians have much to be proud of. This Summit will act as a second major Canadian moment to focus on maternal, newborn, and child health. In 2010, Canada launched the Muskoka Initiative, which leveraged over $7 billion to improve the health of mothers, newborns and children in the world's poorest countries.

The Canadian Network for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health is a network of 70 Canadian organizations that are working together to improve the lives of women and children in the world's poorest countries. Can-MNCH welcomes the opportunity to celebrate the tremendous global progress in saving the lives of women and children and to focus on extending partnerships so that even the most vulnerable can survive and thrive. Recognizing this international event in May as an important step in accelerating global progress, Can-MNCH sees this Summit as making a strong final push to save the lives of the most vulnerable women and children.

The Canadian Network for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health is comprised of 70 Canadian organizations that are actively engaged in MNCH work in over a thousand regions around the world. The Network has been given a mandate by the partner organizations to play a leadership role in developing synergistic collaboration among Canadian constituents. For more information about the network, visit http://www.can-mnch.ca/.

Contact Information

For more information, media should contact:Canadian Network for Maternal, Newborn and Child HealthIrene Whittaker-CummingProgram and Communications Officer647-648-6219Irene@can-mnch.ca